Configuring the Water Node

The Water Node – an LI-710 connected to LI-COR Cloud with an IoE Module – presents the simplest and most scalable way to use the LI-710. Here we describe how to use the LI-710 as a Water Node. After assembling the IoE Module and mounting the LI-710 on the mast, (see Assembling the IoE Module and Installing the LI-710), follow these steps to configure the Water Node.

Initial setup

Leave the LI-710 cable disconnected at this point. You'll connect the cable as part the configuration.

Adding a sensor

  1. Power on the IoE Module.

    Short-press the power button () and wait until the main screen is displayed.

  2. Set the time zone.

    To apply an offset to the default UTC time, press left four times () and use the up and down buttons to choose an offset. Press Select to apply the timezone and return to home. The IoE Module does not account for daylight saving time.

  3. Prepare to add sensors.

    The IoE Module must have a strong cellular connection during configuration. Keep the sensors nearby but leave the cable disconnected for now.

  4. Navigate to the Device Setup screen.

    From the home screen, press left three times () to access the Device Setup screen.

  5. While Add Device is highlighted press Select to begin.

    Leave all device cables disconnected but nearby.

  6. Connect one SDI-12 sensor and select YES to proceed.

    The IoE Module will recognize the device and request configuration information from LI-COR Cloud. Several messages will indicate the progress.

  7. Preview the device information and make changes if desired.

    Leave the period at 30 minutes to use cleaning and gap filling on LI-COR Cloud.

  8. Save the configuration.

    Press Right and then Select to save changes. You MUST save changes.

  9. Watch as the IoE Module finishes the configuration.

    restarting

Deleting a sensor

If you have connected a device but want to delete it for some reason or another, follow these steps.

  1. Enter the Device Setup screen and select the device to remove.

  2. Long-press the Select button () until prompted:

    Delete device

  3. Select YES to remove the device and its configuration from the IoE Module.

  4. Save the configuration.

    Press Right () once to open the prompt, then press Select () to save the changes. You MUST save changes for the settings to be applied.

Adding the Water Node to LI-COR Cloud

A Water Node is an LI-710 that is connected to LI-COR Cloud with an IoE Module. You need an account - either a new one or an existing account - and the IoE Module must be registered.

Creating an account

To create a new account:

  1. Go to www.licor.cloud and select Register Account.

  2. Fill in the form and accept the terms and conditions.

    Use a unique organization name and user name.

  3. Confirm your account.

    Check your email (possibly the spam folder) for a verification message. Follow the instructions in the message to activate your account.

  4. Log in.

Registering the IoE Module

All devices must be registered to appear in LI-COR Cloud. To register a device:

  1. Create a new account or log into your account at www.licor.cloud.

  2. Select Register Device.

    Register the device by entering information.

  3. Enter the IoE Module Serial Number and device Key.

    The key and serial number are on the IoE Module display (press left and down to view the system information).

    The client ID is given under the about screen.

  4. Fill in any additional information and complete registration.

  5. Save the settings.

    The IoE Module is now registered with LI-COR Cloud. Next, you'll configure the Water Node (LI-710) or Carbon Node (LI-720).

Viewing the Water Node on LI-COR Cloud

After creating an account and registering the IoE Module that hosts the LI-710, you can customize the LI-COR Cloud Dashboard. Start by selecting default Dashboard settings:

  1. Select Dashboards and click +Add Dashboard.

  2. Enter a Dashboard Name.

    The name must be unique.

  3. Select a Device Template.

    LI-COR Cloud will list options for the widget for each measurement associated with this device.

  4. Click Create.

    LI-COR Cloud displays the new Dashboard along with some pre-configured widgets. Next, you can customize the Widgets or add others to the dashboard. If you have just powered everything on, there will not be much data to display so you may see an empty graph, but that will change as data accumulate. By default, the interface displays the last 1 day, but you can load a longer time span.

See Working with Water Node data for more details.

Entering site metadata

Site metadata describes the deployment. It includes some details that are essential for flux calculations. Three parameters are required:

Caution: Site metadata is required for accurate computation of fluxes and display of the flux footprint. Be sure to configure these parameters when you set up the device.

  • Measurement Height: The distance between the sample path and ground level (meters).

  • Canopy Height: The distance between the sample path and the top of the plant canopy (meters).

This can be entered in the LI-COR Cloud interface via the Water Node (see Figure 4‑1). A parameter that has been entered in one place will register everywhere, but it might take some time (~30 minutes) for the new configuration to load.

Figure 4‑1. Site metadata can be entered in the LI-COR Cloud interface.

Congratulations! You have created a Water Node on LI-COR Cloud. Now, you can view data, process data, and perform advanced data processing, including Gap Filling, Total ET, Flux Footprints, and more.

Changing the reporting interval

The reporting interval can be set at the IoE module. The LI-710 and Water Node reports flux results every 30 minutes by default, but this can be changed to any interval between 15 and 60 minutes (5 minute resolution). The Stevens probe reports results every 10 minutes by default but it can be any interval between 10 and 60 minutes (5 minute resolution).

Note: Use a 30 minute averaging period if you want to use outlier detection and gap filling on LI-COR Cloud.

To change the reporting interval:

  1. Go to the device setup screen and select a device.

  2. Use the arrow keys to select the item to adjust - in this case, select Period to open options to adjust the time period.

    Adjust the period.

  3. After making changes, use the arrow keys to navigate away from the Device Setup screen.

  4. When prompted to save changes, select YES.